中国·福州——热爱城市从热爱美食开始

June 14 marks the 2025 “Cultural and Natural Heritage Day.” This year’s theme is “Integrating into Modern Life – Intangible Cultural Heritage in Full Bloom.” The discussion around the preservation and development of cultural and natural heritage has once again captured widespread attention.

Bodiless lacquerware, oil paper umbrellas, jasmine tea… these intangible cultural heritages, woven into the lanes and alleys of Fuzhou, the hands of artisans, and the daily lives of locals, are being brought to life through digital experiences, cultural products, and innovative tourism. Continuously evolving, they are seamlessly blending into modern life, unleashing the vibrant energy of being “in its prime.”

Yan Lei, a representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, showcased the craft of making oil paper umbrellas, drawing the attention of visitors. (Photo by Reporter Lin Shuangwei)

The Fusion of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Fashion Sparks Creativity

In April, Zhao Liying appeared in a magazine wearing cork painting accessories, instantly making Fuzhou’s cork paintings the focus of widespread attention. Cork paintings, once confined to capturing the intricate beauty of pavilions, terraces, and towers, as well as landscapes, and gardens on small pieces of cork, have now transformed from static decorative objects into lightweight, vibrant works of art worn in the hair. This brilliant fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern fashion ignited a “cork painting photo op craze” in Fuzhou. Travel photo studios in Sanfang Qixiang began offering themed shoots, where young women, adorned with intricately carved wooden accessories, posed against the classic backdrop of grey-tiled roofs and white walls, capturing a perfect “intangible cultural heritage fashion moment.”

This isn’t the first time cork painting has gained attention. It has appeared on various stages before, but Zhao Liying’s photo shoot has truly propelled this intangible cultural heritage craft into the spotlight. Lin Qingyun, the representative inheritor of Fuzhou cork painting, an intangible cultural heritage, shared, “This cross-industry promotion is incredibly significant for the innovation of cork painting. It goes beyond traditional display methods, merging cork painting with fashion and art, and giving it a more modern, youthful, and stylish appeal.”

From Lin Qingyun’s perspective, the innovation in cork painting goes beyond just changing its form; it also involves a reimagining of its content and concept. “We draw inspiration from modern life, blending cork painting with modern home, accessories, cultural and creative products, and more. This has led to the creation of practical yet artistic items, such as cork painting earrings, necklaces, brooches, and even incorporating cork painting into phone cases, notebooks, bookmarks, and other cultural and creative products. We aim to truly weave cork painting into everyday life,” she explained.

Exploring the depth of intangible cultural heritage and bridging the gap between traditional culture and modern life… The traditional craft of Fuzhou oil paper umbrella making, a representative intangible cultural heritage item of Fujian Province, is also embracing similar efforts.

This ancient craft, symbolizing “children” and “completeness,” is now gracefully integrating into contemporary life with a lighter, more modern flair. In Shangxiahang, the scent of tung oil fills the air from the oil paper umbrella workshops. At the intangible cultural heritage market, visitors design their patterns and write poems on plain oil paper umbrellas. Some trace the silhouettes of the alleyways, while others inscribe family traditions and ancient teachings, allowing each umbrella to shine with new brilliance. Additionally, many visitors, dressed in hanfu (traditional clothing of the Han people) and wearing “Three Hairpins,” are carrying oil paper umbrellas and taking photos around the area, incorporating traditional craftsmanship into their personal stories.

Digital Expression of Intangible Cultural Heritage

At Furong Garden in Zhuzifang, a unique cross-temporal “dialogue” is unfolding. Inside the Shen Shaoan Lacquer Art Museum, the digital avatar of Shen Shaoan, the founder of bodiless lacquerware, is sharing the history and evolution of lacquer art with Mr. Wang, a visitor. Meanwhile, the museum’s AI guide, Xiao Qi, is also online, taking him on a journey through the intangible cultural heritage of lacquer art. “It’s an incredibly fascinating experience. Not only did I learn about the history of lacquer art, but I also got to see the digital recreation of the bodiless lacquerware making process,” said Mr. Wang.

In the most popular floating lacquer experience zone, Mr. Wang continued to explore the fascinating blend of technology and intangible cultural heritage. He crafted his lacquer fan, marveling at the intricacies of the floating lacquer technique. Meanwhile, AI translated his hand gestures into digital brushstrokes, creating a one-of-a-kind “digital lacquerware” in the metaverse exhibition hall.

“Digital technology has brought a fresh vitality to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage,” said Shi Liling, Curator of the Shen Shaoan Lacquer Art Museum. “By incorporating modern techniques, we’ve revitalized traditional lacquer art, giving it a contemporary appeal and inspiring more young people to embrace this ancient craft.”

The fusion of tradition and modernity is a common sight in Fuzhou. At the Fuzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall in Shangxiahang, the resonance between digital technology and cultural heritage quietly lingers.

The Fuzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall leverages cutting-edge technologies like holographic imaging and motion sensing to bring the city’s rich traditional culture to life. By blending static displays with dynamic performances, the museum creates an immersive, interactive space that highlights intangible cultural heritage in a fresh and engaging way.

Upon entering the exhibition hall, the reporter saw long lines forming at the motion-sensing interactive zones, which featured nine different martial arts styles, including Wing Chun, Confucian Fist, and Natural Boxing. Xiao Li, a visitor from Jiangxi, stepped onto the mat and followed the movements displayed on the large screen to learn Wing Chun. “This is so much fun! Not only can I experience the power of the martial arts firsthand, but I also get to learn about the various schools of kung fu. This is far more engaging than just viewing an exhibit!”

The restored Liang Jingjiu Residence in the Liangcuo District now serves as the exhibition hall for the 44th Session of the World Heritage Committee. Stepping into the “Gateway of Time and Space,” visitors can immerse themselves in a VR panoramic experience, virtually exploring China’s and Fujian’s iconic World Heritage sites while reliving the “Fuzhou Imprint” of the session. The museum is also working on developing a digital olfactory system, so in the future, visitors may not only see the shadows of jasmine flowers but also smell their fragrance as they walk through the ancient buildings.

Lin Shan, Executive Vice Chairman of the Fuzhou Municipal Association of Mindu Culture, believes that digital technology not only helps preserve the tangible forms and artistic essence of intangible cultural heritage but also transforms the way it is spread. By presenting traditional culture through immersive and interactive formats, this modern approach effectively bridges the gap between intangible cultural heritage and younger generations, injecting new vitality into traditional culture in the digital age.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Adds a Cultural Flavor to Tourism

Today, Fuzhou’s “New Force of Intangible Cultural Heritage” is redefining the way traditions are passed down.

By incorporating lacquer art, an intangible cultural heritage, into abandoned peach and bamboo branches from the village and under the guidance of Taiwan expert Huang Shoukun, visitors can try their hand at the floating lacquer technique. They create unique souvenirs, like peach blossom brushes and bamboo flutes, making for a truly special keepsake from their rural tourism experience.

Xiahu Village in Zhongfang Town, Luoyuan County, is once again drawing attention for its intangible cultural heritage. As a city-level representative inheritor of Fuzhou’s bodiless lacquerware painting technique, Huang Shoukun opened an intangible cultural heritage studio in Xiahu Village last August. In his new role as manager of a rural cultural and tourism integration project, he developed unique activities based on local characteristics to show intangible cultural heritage.

“Kids, it’s time for lacquer class!” Every weekend, Huang Shoukun’s studio welcomes groups of families, both parents and children, who come to experience the charm of the bodiless lacquerware painting technique together.

In Fuzhou, intangible cultural heritage is seamlessly blending with tourism, driving innovation in the industry, and enriching the range of tourism offerings.

At the Chunlun Jasmine Tea Cultural and Creative Park, specifically, the “Fuzhou Jasmine Tea Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop” located in Cangshan, the refreshing aroma of tea greets visitors. It integrates a cultural museum, a traditional craft display and experience area, a jasmine flower breeding garden, and a creative tea-tasting zone, allowing visitors to gain a deep understanding of the cultural heritage and production process of Fuzhou jasmine tea.

These new cultural and tourism experiences, characterized by intangible cultural heritage activities, tours of villages and ancient towns, visits to exhibition halls, and traditional costume photo ops, have led to a surge in consumer demand.

On the morning of the 14th, the ancient fish breeding exhibit at the Guochao Goldfish Hall in the Sanfang Qixiang Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum caught the eye of many visitors. It not only showcased goldfish bred using traditional methods but also featured beautifully crafted cultural and creative products, attracting a large number of visitors. “I didn’t know that Fuzhou’s goldfish breeding technique is also part of our intangible cultural heritage. It’s so meaningful to bring my child here to learn about and connect with it,” said Ms. Wang, a local resident. After exploring the exhibit, she couldn’t resist taking home a few small goldfish.

The growing popularity of intangible cultural heritage activities is not only enriching the public’s spiritual life but also quietly enhancing the cultural atmosphere of Fuzhou. Here, the vibrant energy of ancient crafts lies not just in their innovative forms but in their role as a cultural medium for expressing contemporary emotions. (Fuzhou Daily Reporters: Yan Xiao, Lan Yuping)